Expansible winder shaft



E. H. TlDLAND EXPANSIBLE WINDER SHAFT Jan. 9, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 26, v1949 m. w m w.

EDWARD H. TIDLAND ATTORNEY E. H. TIDLAND EXPANSIBLE WINDER SHAFT Jan. 9, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheetl 2 Filed July 26. 1949 JNI/ENTOR. EDWARD HTIDLAND ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 9, 1951 UNITED .STATES OFF-ICE EXPANSIBLE WINDER 'SHAFT Edward H. `Tidlanil, Camas, Wash.

Application J uly 26, 1949, `Serial No. 106,869

Claims. 'i

This invention relates to shafts and the like on which rolls of paper or other flexible webs are tO-be Wound or from which they are to be un- Wound.

In particular, this invention relates to expansible shafts o n which rolls of paper may be wound in a paper mill as the paper is produced, vand from the cores of the finished rolls of which the shafts can be then withdrawn; and this invention relates Vsimilarly to expansible shafts which may be inserted in rolls lof paper in order to support the rolls Yduring the unwinding cf the same.

.An object of this invention is t0 provide an improved winder shaft or core shaft on which the paper orweb can be wound directly and which can quickly and easily be withdrawn from the core of the wound roll.

Another object -of this invention is to provide an improved expansible Winder shaft which can be pneumaticallgy expanded and which can be quickly contracted by permitting deflation to -oc cur.

A further object of thi-s invention is to provide an improved :expansible shaft -of simplified construction in which no collars, set screws, cones, expanding chucks, ,or other mechanical adjustments or similar adjusting .elements will A,be required.

.Since large size rolls in which paper may be Wound, or from which paper may be unwound, often involve considerable weight, a common difficulty with many expansible shafts is that they are subject to substantial deflection when used with :large or heavy rolls or when Aused under conditions of high speed.

Anadditiona-l but important object of the present 'invention accordingly is to provide an improved expansible shaft which will have maXi mum-strength in proportion to its size and weight.

A .still further object is to provide a pneumatic `ex'pansible `shaft in which a minimum amount of air pressure will be required .for eX- panding the shaft and -holding it in expanded posit-ion with v1a tight Ygrip on the vsurrounding rollcore.

Another object'isto-provide a simple `and practical Vexpansible .shaft in which a smooth .cylindrical meta'l outer surface will be presented to thesurrounding paper core when theshaft is contracted.

The 'manner -in which these Vobjects and other advantages are attained will be eXp-lainedin the course of the following brief description with reference :to the accompanying drawings, in which drawings:

Figs. 1A 1B and 1C are successive partial elevations of my improvedexpansible shaft, show.- ing the same in expanded position, but with ,the roll of paper omitted therefrom for the sake of clarity, and with portions of the shaft show-n broken away and in section, `also for the sake of clarity;

Fig. 2 is a transverse section taken `on line 2-2 of Fig. 1B but drawn to a larger scale, .showing the shaftinexpanded position;

Fig. 3 is a corresponding transverse section showing the shaftin kcontracted position;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary section corresponding to line 4 1@ of Fig. 1B, but showing the vshaft in contracted position, this ligure vbeing drawn to the same scale as Figs. 2 Yand 3 and illustrating more clearly one of the spring elements `by which the longitudinal, radially-movable segments are caused to return to their normal contractedposition whenever deation of the inner rubber tube permits; and

Fig. 5 is a Vperspective View of a portion of one of the radially-movable segments which extend longitudinally within the main body member of the shaft.

Referring rst to Fig. 1, the main body 'lil of `my expansible shaft comprises a cylindrical tube of steel or other suitable metal, the outside diameter of which corresponds vto the maximum diameter desired for the shaft when the shaft is in contracted position. The length of this cylindricalL tube of the main bodymernber is made approximately equal to the contemplated width of the `rolls of paper to 'be wound upon, or unwound from, thefexpansible shaft.

Journals ll and l2 form the -ends of the shaft. One of 'these journals, thus the journal vIl as shown in Fig. -l, has a central channel i3 extending through it. The other journal l2 preferably comprises Va solid Vshaft portion. The linner ends of these journals have their exterior vdiameters corresponding to -the interior diameter Aof the tubular main body vIii of the expansible shaft and have a shrink t 'with the ends of the main body It and are valso "secured therein by suitable set screws such as the lset lscrew I4, shown by way of illustration. The exterior portions `of the journals ll and l2 are capable of being ma# chinedto suit the mountings inwhich the ends of the expansible shaft `are to be removably ysupported for the winding or unwinding operation. The size of lthe journals, and similarly, the size of the-main body of the .expansibleshaft will of @ourse l`depend .upon the Vparticular conditions 3 under which the expansible shaft is to be employed.

Within the main body I of the shaft, extending substantially the entire distance between the inner ends of the journal members, are a plurality of identical members I which I designate as longitudinal segments. In the particular shaft illustrated in the drawings there are three such longitudinal segments. The shape of these longitudinal segments will be clearly understood from Figs. 2-5 inclusive. Each segment has an outer curvedsurface, the radius of curvature of which corresponds approximately to the radius of the inside surface of the main member I0. Each segment I5 has a series of spaced, longitudinallyaligned ribs or raised portions I5 extending radially from the center line of the curved outer surface. 'Ihe main member III is provided with longitudinally-aligned slots I'I corresponding approximately to the size of the ribs I6 and correspondingly placed, within which slots I'I the ribs I6 are slidable in and out in a radial direction. As apparent from Figs. 2 and 3, these ribs I6 extend radially from the curved outer surface of the segments I5 for a distance somewhat greater than the radial thickness of the main member I0. Thus when the segments I5 are caused to bear against the inside wall of the main member IG, as illustrated in Fig. 2, these ribs I6 will protrude beyond the outer surface of the main member Il a short distance, and this short distance constitutes the radial extent of the effective expansion of the expansible shaft.

An inner tube f8 of rubber or similar resilient :flexible material, extends through the interior of the flexible shaft and bears against the inside faces of the Segments I5 at all times, and, when inflated, may also bear against portions of the inside face of the main member I0 between the segments I5. One end of the inner tube I8, thus the end I9 as shown in Fig. l, is sealed. The other end 2B is connected to a small metal tube 2l extending through the channel I3 in the hub member lI. The tube 2I terminates at its outer end, and thus at the end of the shaft, in a suitable connection by means of which the outer end of the tube 2l may be connected to a source of air under pressure, and in the connection a suitable connection by means of which the outer end valve on ordinary automotive vehicle tires, through the medium of which air under pressure can be admitted into the tube 2| and thence to the inner tube I8, can then be held therein, and finally can also be quickly and' easily released therefrom when desired.

When the inner tube I8 is iniiated, the pressure of tube I8 against the segments I5 Will press the segments I5 against the inside surface of the main member Ill causing the ribs I6 to protrude from the slots Il on the outer surface of the main member IB and to remain in such position as long as suffi-cient pressure continues in the inner tube I8. Under such condition the expansible shaft is maintained in its expanded condition illustrated in Figs. l and 2.

In order to cause the segments I5 to move inwardly quickly whenever the inner tube I8 is sufciently deflated so that the ribs I6 Will be withdrawn from the outer surface of the main member Il), as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, and in order to hold the segments I5 and ribs I6 in such inner position as long as the inner tube i8 remains deated, I provide springs 23 (Figs, 1

and 4) at regularly spaced intervals along the main body member IG in alignment with the ribs I6. These springs are mounted in internallyopening recesses or sockets 22. The sockets 22 have threads on their outer cylindrical `walls which engage threads formed on the walls or threaded holes cut in the main member I@ thus enabling the spring-holding sockets 22 to be secured in place in the main member I0, as shown in Fig. 4. The inner ends of the springs 23 engage recesses 24 in the segments I5. The inner tube I8, even when deflated, prevents the segments I5 from being pushed too far inside the main member Hl.

Actually, depending of course upon the size of the shaft, only a moderate amount of deation of the inner tube I8 is required to cause the segments i5 with their ribs I6 to move from the extreme outer position of Fig. 2 to their Withdrawn position of Fig. 3; and correspondingly only a comparatively small amount of air'under pressure is required to bring the inner tube' Iffr'omf' the partialiy deflated condition of Fig. 3 to the fully inflated condition of Fig. 2. rEhus the ef-` fective expansion or contraction of the shaft Yis accomplished quickly and Without excessive Wastey of air under pressure. Y

Since the main member I0 of my expansible.` shaft is tubular, with a maximum outside diamIV eter, its strength will compare most favorably with its weight. Since the slots I1 for the ribs i6 are narrow and extend longitudinally they' necessitate no serious weakening of the main member and thus of the shaft. When the shafti is in expanded position the segments I5, pressed against the inside wall of the main member I0 and bearing the ribs I6 on which the paper roll is supported, actually serve as reinforcement for the main member and consequently aid in resist- 2 ing any tendency for the shaft to become de-` flected. Due to the maximum size and strength of the main member the junctions between the' main member and the journal member at each end will also be of maximum strength for the size and Weight of the shaft. Finally, the smooth cylindrical outer surface presented by the main'I member when the shaft is in contracted position" facilitates the removal of the shaft from a roll at the completion of the winding or the insertion of the shaft into the core of a roll in preparation for the unwinding of the roll.

Some variations and modifications might ofcourse be made in the expansible shaft Which'I have described and which I have shown in the drawings within the scope of my invention and without departing from the principle of the same. Thus the number of the segments I5 could be increased and the relative size of the parts and.' members could be varied depending upon the circumstances under which the shaft is tov be employed and the nature of the paper or web for which the shaft is to be used. However, my shaft, constructed substantially in the manner. illustrated, during an extensive testing period; has proven very successful in the accomplishment of the objects set forth in the beginning of this specification, and I regard the .shaft as illustrated and described as the preferred formof carrying out the principle of my invention.

1. In an expansible shaft of the character described, a main outside tubular member, a journal secured to and extending from each end of said main member, an interior channel extending through one 0f said journals and leading into said main member, `a plurality vof identical longitu- 'dinal segments mounted l`within said main "mem-- loer, eac'h segment extending substantially the Ventire distance between said ljournals, spaced, longitudinally-'aligned raised portions 'extending it'ially thesame radiu's'of curvature as the interior ofA said main member, an inner `tube of frubber located `within said main .member and extending over the inner faces of said segments, said inner tube having a tubular connection at one end extending througli'said Ajournal channel, valve means at the outer end of said tubular connection for said inner tube permitting air under pressure to be delivered into said inner tube and held in said inner tube and released from said inner tube when desired, and spring means located within said main member causing said segments to be normally spaced from the inside wall of said main member when said inner tube is partly deiiated, whereby inflation of said inner tube will cause the outer ends of said raised portions of said segments to protrude beyond the outside surface of said main member and thereby expand the effective size of said shaft.

2. An expansible shaft of the character described including a journal at each end of said shaft, a main integral outside hollow cylindrical main member extending the entire length of said shaft between said journal ends, a plurality of longitudinal segments mounted within said main member, each segment extending substantially the entire distance between said journal ends, spaced raised portions extending radially outwardly from said segments, holes in said main member for said raised portions permitting radial movement of said raised portions and therewith of said segments in said main member, the radial length of said raised portions being slightly greater than the radial thickness of said main member, an inner tube of exible and resilient material located within said main member and extending over the inner faces of said segments, said inner tube having a tubular connection at one end extending throughrone of said journals, means at the outer end of said tubular connection for said inner tube permitting air under pressure to be delivered into said inner tube and held in said inner tube and released from said inner tube when desired, and spring means extending between said main member and said segments causing said segments to be normally spaced from the inside wall of said main member when said inner tube is partly deated, sockets mounted in the wall of said main member and acting as mountings for said springs whereby infiation of said inner tube will cause the outer 'ment extending sbstantiallyfthe 'entire Fdi'sta'n'de 'between said Avjournals, spac'e'd Lribs lextending kradially outwardly 'fror'n said segments, slots in said lmain member for said ribs per'niitti'ng radial movementb'f said lribs and therewith df said segments yin said Emain member, `the radial Ilength of said ribs Abeing fslightly greater than the radial `tliicknes`s of said main member, fthe outer face 'of e'ach'segment"comprisinga curved surface of lsubstantiallythe sameradius of 'curvature 'as the interior of 'said main member, 'the ri-bs of heach A'segment"extending in longitudinal alignment along thefcenterline'of the outerfa'ce of Aeach segment, ran inner tube of rubber-like material located within said 'main member fand extending A'ove'rth'e "inner 'faces fof said segments, said inner tube "having a tubular connection fat onefen'd -extending'through said journal fohannl, vmeans at the outerndof said'tubu-lar connection for said inner tube permitting air under pressure to be delivered into said inner tube and held in said inner tube rand released from said inner tube when desired, and springs extending between said main member and said segments causing said segments to be normally spaced from the inside wall of said main member when said inner tube is partly deated, sockets having internally opening recesses mounted in the wall of said main member and acting as mountings for said springs, whereby ini-lation of said inner tube will cause the outer ends of said ribs of said segments to protrude beyond the outside surface of said main member and thereby expand the effective size of said shaft.

4. In an expansible shaft of the character described, a main outside tubular member, a journal secured to each end of said main member, a plurality of series of similar, longitudinallyaligned slots in said main member, the longitudinal spacing between the slots in each series considerably exceeding the longitudinal length of the individual slots, a plurality of rigid, longitudinal segments mounted within said main member for limited radial movement, each segment extending substantially the entire distance between said journals, spaced, longitudinallyaligned ribs extending radially outward from each segment corresponding to said slots, said ribs radially slidable in said slots, the radial length of said ribs being slightly greater than the radial thickness of said main member, anv

inner tube of flexible and resilient material located within said main member and extending over the inner faces of said segments, said inner tube having a tubular connection at one end extending through one of said journals, and valve means in said tubular connection permitting air under pressure to be delivered into said inner tube and held in said inner tube and released from said inner tube when desired, whereby inflation of said inner tube will force the outer ends of said ribs of said segments to protrude beyond the outer surface of said main member and thereby expand the effective size of said shaft, and whereby said segments will serve to reinforce said main member when said shaft is expanded.

5. In an expansible shaft of the character described, a main outside tubular member, a journal secured to each end of said main member, a plurality of series of similar, longitudinallyaligned slots in said main member, the longitudinal spacing between the slots in each series considerably exceeding the longitudinal length of the individual slots, a plurality of rigid,

longitudinal segments mounted within said main member for limited radial movement, each segment extending substantially the entire distance between said journals, spaced, longitudinallyaligned ribs extending radially outward from each segment corresponding to said slots, said ribs radially slidable in said slots, the radial length of said ribs being slightly greater than the radial thickness of said main member, an inner tube of iiexible and resilient material located within said main member and extending over the inner faces of said segments, said inner tube having a tubular connection at one end extending through one of said journals, valve means in said tubular connection permitting air under pressure to be delivered into said inner tube and held in said inner tube and released from said inner tube when desired, and means connected with each of said segments within said main member for moving said segments inwardly into normai position spaced from the inside wall of said main member whenever said inner tube is partly deflated, whereby inflation of said inner tube will force the outer ends of said ribs of said segments to protrude beyond the outer surface of said main member and thereby expand the eiective size of said shaft, and whereby said segments will serve to reinforce said main member when said shaft is expanded.

EDWARD H. TIDLAND.

REFERENCES CITED Name Date Dixon Mar. 18, 1919 Number 

